Load data for .280 Ackley Improved + .284 | 120gr | Merlin Virtus
Recommended Powder(s): Alliant Reloder-17, Hodgdon CFE223, Ramshot Big Game, ReloadSwiss RS 60, SNPE Vectan SP 11
Load Specifications
(Use the Personalized Load Calculator below to adjust )
Bullet: | .284 | 120gr | Merlin Virtus |
Manufacturer SKU: | Merlin-0.284-120 |
Bullet Weight: | 120gr | 7.8g |
Bullet Diameter: | 0.284" | 7.21mm |
Bullet Length: | 1.150" | 29.2mm |
Caliber: | .280 Ackley Improved load data |
Case Length (l3): | 2.540" | 64.5mm |
Cartridge Length (C.O.L.): | 3.280" | 83.3mm |
Seated Depth: | 0.410" | 10.4mm |
Shank Seated Depth: | 0.288" | 7.3mm |
Case Capacity: | 74.0 Grains of Water | 4.80 cm³ |
Primer Size: | Large Rifle (LR) |
Max. allowed Pressure: | 64977 psi | 4480 bar |
LID: | LID_B10756_C285 |
Last updated: | 2025-01-01 |
Recommended Twist Rate: | 1:12 - 1:10 |
Load data for 194 loads in caliber .280 Ackley Improved with .284 | 120gr | Merlin Virtus bullet and 97 powders such as Alliant Reloder-17, Hodgdon CFE223, Ramshot Big Game, ReloadSwiss RS 60, SNPE Vectan SP 11. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above.
Important Notice: DO NOT go below Minimum Charge or above Maximum Charge unless there are reasons. Since xxlreloading.com has no control over the equipment and components used by the customer and the data used in connection with the website, any responsibility and liability for the results achieved is rejected. Also see our Terms of Service.
Questions regarding the load data: Please read the information in the next tab "Explanations".
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A load must fulfill certain criteria to be listed in the default view below - see "powder criteria to fulfill to be listed".
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Our load data might deviate from other sources - see the "most common reasons for deviations".
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All loads are based on the bullet and case dimensions shown under "Load Specifications" - see "reloading suggestions" if you deviate.
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You can set your specifications in the "Personalized Load Calculator".
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Use the Personalized Load Calculator to customize loads to your own specific requirements. Find more details in the help section.
Our default view only displays powders/loads that fulfill certain criteria: Max pressure of a load <=90% of Max. Standardized Pressure. Fill Rate (Min FR): >80% and <100% for rife loads, >60% and <100% for pistol loads. Min. Propellant Combustion (Min z): >90% for rifle loads , >80% for pistol/revolver loads. Relax these criteria at your own risk to potentially get more powders shown in the load tables.
Click on the desired row in the tables below to add a specific load / powder to your Diary and manage there.
Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 87% | 58247 | 90% | **02 | 100% |
ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57653 | 89% | **66 | 100% |
[ADI AR 2209]* | <<locked>> | 97% | 45310 | 70% | **99 | 92% |
Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57856 | 89% | **81 | 100% |
Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 58421 | 90% | **69 | 99% |
Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57725 | 89% | **40 | 100% |
Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 85% | 57972 | 89% | **66 | 100% |
Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 93% | 57740 | 89% | **04 | 97% |
[Accurate 3100]* | <<locked>> | 97% | 37913 | 58% | **31 | 94% |
Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 58189 | 90% | **59 | 100% |
Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 97% | 53316 | 82% | **66 | 99% |
Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 85% | 58044 | 89% | **20 | 100% |
Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 93% | 58334 | 90% | **96 | 100% |
Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 90% | 58436 | 90% | **19 | 100% |
Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 97% | 51648 | 79% | **79 | 99% |
Alliant Reloder-17 👍 | <<locked>> | 96% | 58001 | 89% | **01 | 100% |
[Alliant Reloder-19]* | <<locked>> | 97% | 44817 | 69% | **95 | 92% |
Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 97% | 36405 | 56% | **64 | 97% |
Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 97% | 40756 | 63% | **25 | 96% |
Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 87% | 57812 | 89% | **99 | 100% |
Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 85% | 58378 | 90% | **02 | 100% |
Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 85% | 58218 | 90% | **20 | 100% |
Hodgdon CFE223 👍 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57957 | 89% | **32 | 100% |
Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57595 | 89% | **36 | 100% |
Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 92% | 58001 | 89% | **05 | 99% |
Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 95% | 58001 | 89% | **51 | 98% |
Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 97% | 49603 | 76% | **35 | 95% |
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 97% | 48037 | 74% | **45 | 99% |
Hodgdon LVR | <<locked>> | 97% | 57479 | 88% | **35 | 99% |
Hodgdon Superperformance | <<locked>> | 97% | 57522 | 89% | **64 | 97% |
Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 93% | 58088 | 89% | **79 | 100% |
Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 97% | 34011 | 52% | **36 | 100% |
IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 89% | 57682 | 89% | **73 | 100% |
IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 58407 | 90% | **69 | 100% |
IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 94% | 58334 | 90% | **46 | 98% |
IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 97% | 52518 | 81% | **94 | 96% |
IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 95% | 58030 | 89% | **73 | 98% |
IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 97% | 45179 | 70% | **99 | 98% |
IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 89% | 58073 | 89% | **19 | 100% |
IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 86% | 58102 | 89% | **59 | 100% |
Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 87% | 57972 | 89% | **66 | 100% |
Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 87% | 57972 | 89% | **27 | 100% |
Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 91% | 58073 | 89% | **63 | 100% |
Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 97% | 56782 | 87% | **53 | 99% |
Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 97% | 54143 | 83% | **23 | 97% |
Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 88% | 58160 | 90% | **59 | 100% |
Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 88% | 57870 | 89% | **50 | 100% |
Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 91% | 58407 | 90% | **22 | 100% |
Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 97% | 53606 | 83% | **46 | 95% |
[Norma MRP]* | <<locked>> | 97% | 40843 | 63% | **82 | 93% |
Norma URP | <<locked>> | 97% | 52431 | 81% | **56 | 99% |
Ramshot Big Game 👍 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57856 | 89% | **25 | 100% |
Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 97% | 51706 | 80% | **50 | 97% |
Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 86% | 58189 | 90% | **66 | 99% |
Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 58059 | 89% | **89 | 100% |
Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 83% | 58117 | 89% | **40 | 100% |
ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 97% | 34258 | 53% | **78 | 100% |
ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 91% | 57624 | 89% | **69 | 98% |
ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 91% | 58160 | 90% | **32 | 100% |
ReloadSwiss RS 60 👍 | <<locked>> | 96% | 58001 | 89% | **30 | 100% |
ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 97% | 53127 | 82% | **86 | 99% |
ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 97% | 53127 | 82% | **28 | 99% |
Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 86% | 58073 | 89% | **33 | 100% |
Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 90% | 58204 | 90% | **43 | 100% |
Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 94% | 57986 | 89% | **89 | 100% |
[Rottweil R 904]* | <<locked>> | 97% | 46992 | 72% | **86 | 92% |
[Rottweil R 905]* | <<locked>> | 97% | 43656 | 67% | **79 | 92% |
Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 96% | 58044 | 89% | **73 | 97% |
SNPE Vectan SP 11 👍 | <<locked>> | 93% | 58117 | 89% | **25 | 100% |
SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 58349 | 90% | **69 | 99% |
SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 58436 | 90% | **86 | 100% |
SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 87% | 57493 | 88% | **64 | 100% |
SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 93% | 57667 | 89% | **58 | 100% |
SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 97% | 57870 | 89% | **07 | 98% |
Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 97% | 56782 | 87% | **53 | 99% |
Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 87% | 57972 | 89% | **66 | 100% |
Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 91% | 58073 | 89% | **63 | 100% |
Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 83% | 58479 | 90% | **73 | 100% |
Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 57972 | 89% | **74 | 100% |
Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 86% | 58088 | 89% | **66 | 100% |
Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 94% | 58044 | 89% | **86 | 100% |
Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 97% | 46876 | 72% | **97 | 100% |
[Somchem S385]* | <<locked>> | 97% | 43743 | 67% | **49 | 94% |
Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 84% | 58189 | 90% | **45 | 100% |
Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 89% | 57754 | 89% | **51 | 100% |
Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 95% | 57653 | 89% | **07 | 100% |
Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57798 | 89% | **10 | 100% |
Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 97% | 53882 | 83% | **84 | 100% |
Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 96% | 57551 | 89% | **89 | 99% |
Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 58044 | 89% | **76 | 100% |
Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 90% | 58088 | 89% | **46 | 100% |
Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 96% | 57696 | 89% | **32 | 99% |
Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 97% | 39987 | 62% | **49 | 97% |
Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 97% | 55419 | 85% | **36 | 100% |
Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 83% | 58479 | 90% | **02 | 100% |
Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 95% | 58001 | 89% | **51 | 98% |
Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 97% | 32677 | 50% | **28 | 96% |
Max Load - Barrel Length: 23.60''
Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 81% | 47384 | 73% | **02 | 99% |
ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 81% | 40437 | 62% | **41 | 97% |
[ADI AR 2209]* | <<locked>> | 93% | 40393 | 62% | **87 | 90% |
Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 81% | 53447 | 82% | **09 | 100% |
Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 81% | 49603 | 76% | **18 | 98% |
Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 81% | 48660 | 75% | **02 | 100% |
Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 81% | 49806 | 77% | **38 | 100% |
[Accurate 2700]* | <<locked>> | 81% | 38725 | 60% | **40 | 91% |
[Accurate 3100]* | <<locked>> | 91% | 31169 | 48% | **48 | 90% |
Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 81% | 41031 | 63% | **64 | 100% |
[Accurate 4350]* | <<locked>> | 81% | 30110 | 46% | **51 | 92% |
Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 81% | 50430 | 78% | **12 | 100% |
Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 81% | 39914 | 61% | **54 | 98% |
Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 81% | 42772 | 66% | **23 | 98% |
[Alliant Reloder-16]* | <<locked>> | 81% | 30908 | 48% | **71 | 92% |
Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 81% | 34519 | 53% | **18 | 96% |
[Alliant Reloder-19]* | <<locked>> | 93% | 39378 | 61% | **67 | 90% |
[Alliant Reloder-23]* | <<locked>> | 85% | 25527 | 39% | **07 | 90% |
[Alliant Reloder-26]* | <<locked>> | 89% | 30545 | 47% | **20 | 90% |
Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 81% | 47079 | 72% | **12 | 98% |
Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 81% | 49734 | 77% | **68 | 100% |
Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 81% | 51300 | 79% | **12 | 100% |
Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 81% | 41640 | 64% | **36 | 97% |
Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 81% | 53185 | 82% | **71 | 100% |
Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 81% | 40451 | 62% | **64 | 96% |
[Hodgdon H414]* | <<locked>> | 81% | 35766 | 55% | **95 | 91% |
[Hodgdon H4350]* | <<locked>> | 86% | 35839 | 55% | **26 | 90% |
[Hodgdon Hybrid 100V]* | <<locked>> | 81% | 28282 | 44% | **62 | 93% |
[Hodgdon LVR]* | <<locked>> | 81% | 33460 | 51% | **23 | 93% |
[Hodgdon Superperformance]* | <<locked>> | 84% | 36274 | 56% | **12 | 90% |
Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 81% | 39987 | 62% | **35 | 97% |
Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 81% | 26672 | 41% | **68 | 100% |
IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 81% | 43743 | 67% | **46 | 100% |
IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 81% | 39276 | 60% | **08 | 97% |
[IMR 4166 Enduron]* | <<locked>> | 81% | 39030 | 60% | **72 | 93% |
[IMR 4350]* | <<locked>> | 85% | 35462 | 55% | **26 | 90% |
[IMR 4451 Enduron]* | <<locked>> | 81% | 37173 | 57% | **49 | 92% |
[IMR 4831]* | <<locked>> | 81% | 27006 | 42% | **30 | 90% |
IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 81% | 43903 | 68% | **66 | 99% |
IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 81% | 49530 | 76% | **18 | 100% |
Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 81% | 46731 | 72% | **89 | 100% |
Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 81% | 47195 | 73% | **43 | 99% |
Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 81% | 42018 | 65% | **74 | 99% |
[Lovex S065]* | <<locked>> | 81% | 34418 | 53% | **87 | 92% |
[Lovex S070]* | <<locked>> | 82% | 33141 | 51% | **67 | 90% |
Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 81% | 46238 | 71% | **53 | 100% |
Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 81% | 46760 | 72% | **66 | 100% |
Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 81% | 42264 | 65% | **13 | 98% |
[Norma 204]* | <<locked>> | 88% | 39668 | 61% | **58 | 90% |
[Norma MRP]* | <<locked>> | 93% | 35882 | 55% | **48 | 90% |
[Norma URP]* | <<locked>> | 81% | 30835 | 47% | **64 | 92% |
Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 81% | 42264 | 65% | **40 | 98% |
[Ramshot Hunter]* | <<locked>> | 83% | 32227 | 50% | **97 | 90% |
Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 81% | 49951 | 77% | **28 | 98% |
Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 81% | 49559 | 76% | **51 | 99% |
Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 81% | 53650 | 83% | **71 | 100% |
ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 81% | 26963 | 41% | **08 | 100% |
[ReloadSwiss RS 50]* | <<locked>> | 81% | 41133 | 63% | **54 | 94% |
ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 81% | 41437 | 64% | **33 | 99% |
ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 81% | 33533 | 52% | **95 | 97% |
[ReloadSwiss RS 62]* | <<locked>> | 81% | 30255 | 47% | **67 | 91% |
[ReloadSwiss RS 70]* | <<locked>> | 82% | 31009 | 48% | **80 | 90% |
Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 81% | 50256 | 77% | **05 | 100% |
Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 81% | 44121 | 68% | **07 | 99% |
Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 81% | 37304 | 57% | **95 | 98% |
[Rottweil R 904]* | <<locked>> | 94% | 43265 | 67% | **04 | 90% |
[Rottweil R 905]* | <<locked>> | 93% | 38638 | 59% | **58 | 90% |
[Rottweil R 907]* | <<locked>> | 81% | 35592 | 55% | **03 | 90% |
SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 81% | 38450 | 59% | **54 | 97% |
SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 81% | 48080 | 74% | **92 | 98% |
SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 81% | 45963 | 71% | **69 | 99% |
SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 81% | 47935 | 74% | **10 | 100% |
SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 81% | 39871 | 61% | **53 | 100% |
[SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000]* | <<locked>> | 81% | 33562 | 52% | **21 | 90% |
[Shooters World Long Rifle]* | <<locked>> | 81% | 34418 | 53% | **87 | 92% |
Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 81% | 46731 | 72% | **89 | 100% |
Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 81% | 42018 | 65% | **74 | 99% |
Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 81% | 54027 | 83% | **07 | 100% |
Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 81% | 47195 | 73% | **04 | 100% |
Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 81% | 47863 | 74% | **89 | 99% |
Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 81% | 38000 | 58% | **99 | 97% |
Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 81% | 27572 | 42% | **98 | 95% |
[Somchem S385]* | <<locked>> | 91% | 35810 | 55% | **62 | 90% |
Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 81% | 52765 | 81% | **63 | 100% |
Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 81% | 45107 | 69% | **51 | 100% |
Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 81% | 36941 | 57% | **43 | 100% |
Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 81% | 43801 | 67% | **84 | 100% |
Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 81% | 32343 | 50% | **41 | 97% |
[Vihtavuori N160]* | <<locked>> | 81% | 33489 | 52% | **03 | 94% |
Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 81% | 52533 | 81% | **81 | 100% |
Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 81% | 43482 | 67% | **07 | 100% |
[Vihtavuori N550]* | <<locked>> | 81% | 33924 | 52% | **46 | 94% |
[Vihtavuori N555]* | <<locked>> | 85% | 26281 | 40% | **66 | 90% |
Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 81% | 32169 | 50% | **51 | 96% |
Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 81% | 53983 | 83% | **36 | 100% |
[Winchester 760]* | <<locked>> | 81% | 35766 | 55% | **95 | 91% |
[Winchester StaBALL HD]* | <<locked>> | 91% | 26527 | 41% | **92 | 90% |
Start Load - Barrel Length: 23.60''
Any powder missing? Then click here.
FR ... fill rate of the cartridge in percent
MaxP ... max. pressure of load in psi or bar
% ... max. pressure of load in percent of the maximum allowed pressure for this caliber
V(0) ... muzzle velocity in feet per second (fps) or meters per second (m/s)
z ... powder burnt in percent
[...] *... not dangerous but load has suboptimal powder burnt with possible characteristics such as extensive muzzle flash or inaccurate loads.
[...] ²... fill rate low - you might want to consider using a filler to ensure proper ignition.
[...] ᴾ... possible press load - work up slowly to this load while watching for signs of excessive pressure.
👍 ... recommended powder/load for this caliber and bullet combination based on its ballistic performance.